A mass student protest erupted at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, after a female student was allegedly sexually assaulted on the university campus. Protests started on September 26, 2026, and picked up in the early hours of September 27 as students sought answers from the university administration and management.
But the authorities have said that the allegations are under investigation. Police have not established that the assault took place on campus, and LPU has said it is false and misleading.
Students Raise Questions Over Alleged Incident
According to information on the occasion, students in the hostel claimed that a female resident had been assaulted and returned home afterward. One protesting student told NDTV that the incident involved a construction worker and that university authorities sent the student home after the incident occurred, he said.
Those claims spread quickly among students and on social media, inciting anger on campus. In fact, the police later confirmed that an FIR has been registered based on information provided by protesting students.
But the allegations are unverified. Kapurthala police officials said they were investigating the matter and had not initially received information confirming that the alleged assault had occurred.
Protest Escalates on Campus
What started as a student demonstration turned violent. Protesters attacked university property, broke window panes, and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway, as they said in a statement.
There were also reports of vehicles being damaged or set on fire, as well as violence between protesters and police. Police used force to disperse some protesters after the situation deteriorated.
The disruption also affected traffic on the national highway, and authorities are now working to restore normal traffic on the highway.
University Denies Allegations
LPU rejected these claims about the incident, describing them as “false and misleading” and advised students to remain calm.
The university then announced that regular classes would be suspended for 10 days from September 28, and mid-term exams were postponed until further notice. Students were also permitted to travel to their hometowns in consultation with their parents or guardians.
Massive protest in LPU.
— fletcher (@103leeds) September 26, 2026
Reportedly a girl was raped by a coworker and instead of taking action the authority dismissed the students plea and sent her home. pic.twitter.com/oLlYKaeaTQ
Police Begin Investigation
The police have formed an investigation team and are examining the allegations and the subsequent unrest. Authorities are also investigating damage caused during the protests.
The police investigation is particularly important because different claims have circulated among students, university officials, and authorities. The alleged sexual assault itself has not been established as a confirmed fact, and reports about a subsequent death by suicide have also not been independently established.
Situation Under Control
By September 28, authorities had deployed a large police presence around the university following the violence. Classes were suspended, and the examination schedule was postponed.
The incident has raised concerns about campus safety, communication between university authorities and students, and the impact of unverified information spreading rapidly through social media. The investigation will determine what actually happened and whether any criminal offense occurred.
Key Details
- University: Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab
- Protests began: September 26–27, 2026
- Main protest: September 27, 2026
- Issue: Alleged sexual assault of a female student
- Police position: Allegation under investigation; not confirmed
- University position: Claims denied as false/misleading
- Impact: Campus damage, highway blockade and clashes
- Classes: Suspended for 10 days from September 28
- Exams: Mid-term examinations postponed
